Access

ABSTRACT

A system used for cladding new or existing buildings with an aluminium carrier support framework, providing a fixing grid for application of a variety of pressure equalised rainscreen panels. The unique flexibility of the components provides the opportunity to design a full carrier grid for direct application to the building structure or a partial secondary support to various alternative primary systems which may form part a through wall design. 
     The system has two standard methods of construction:
     1. Fabrication on site from standard components using the I section for primary support,   2. Pre-assembly at works to a repetitive grid format, utilising the ‘hollow box section’ and associated components for primary support, improving overall speed of installation and assisting fast-track programme—‘The Ladder System’.   

     The unique versatility of the BX horizontal rail and straps are common to both methods.

A system for cladding the elevations of a structure, mainly external butcan be used internally, usi g an aluminium grid attached to thestructure upon which Ceramic Grante panels using concealed fixings areapplied. A pressure equalisation rainscreen cladding system.

The components are:

-   -   1. Fixing brackets for the vertical ‘T’—Profile E    -   2. Fixing bracket for the vertical hollow section—Profile G    -   3. Main vertical ‘T’—Profile F    -   4. Main vertical hollow section—Profile H    -   5. Secondary cross rail—Profile BX    -   6. Top cross rail—Profile Z    -   7. Inner the strap—Profile C    -   8. Outer the strap raffle D    -   9. Undercut anchor bolt    -   10. Stainless steel fixing screw    -   11. Stainless steel pop rivet    -   12. PVC foam pads

The system has two methods of application:

-   -   1. The components are delivered to site and assembled        piecerneal.    -   2. The aluminium framework is assembled in sections of site and        delivered to site in prefabricated panels for erection on site        thereafter the cladding panels are attached in the normal        manner.

The system is made up of a series Of brackets (profile E & G) which areattached to the structure into which the vertical rails are inserted andset to the correct face line then riveted to the bracket. These railsare ‘T’ section (profile F) for the on site fabrication method andrectangular hollow section (profile H) for the of site prefabrication.

The Ceramic Granite panels are pre-drilled with undercutholes. Analuminium strap of two interlocking sections (profile C & D) is attachedto the Ceramic Granite panel using special undercut anchors.Compressable PVC foam pads are inserted between the outer section thestrap (profile D) and the Ceramic Granite panel.

The assembled Ceramic Granite panel is offered up to the frameworkslotting the lower ends of the straps (profile C) into the slot in thesecondary cross rails (profile BX) The upper protruding end of the strap(profile C) is set against the flat surface of the secondary cross rail(section BX) above. The joints between the panels are regulated and theupper end of the straps (profile C) are fixed in position using selfdrilling stainless steel screws.

It is a design feature of this system that t e fixing screws on thestraps (profile C) are directly in line with the horizontal jointbetween the Ceramics Granite panels. This allows individual CeramicGranite panels to be removed should the need arise, without disturbingthe adjacent panels.

The unique design of the cross rail (section BX) in the way the slot isarranged to allow easy introduction of the tile strap whilst positioningthe the but to give a secure hold when the tile is fixed into position,is an ingenious security technique used in the Access system.

A further innovation of the cross rail (section BX) is the perforatedlip which dispenses with the need for separate fixing brackets andallows direct fixing to the main supports.

The prefabricated Access system is unique in that the pre-assembledgrids constructed off site can be brought to the installation point andhoisted accurately into position easily due to automatic location of thevertical members by the introduction of a special mating link component.

The cross rails (section BX) are also aligned by use of a special sleeveto connect them. This is fixed on one side only to allow thermalmovements.

The support brackets have circular and slotted holes used to attach themto the vertical members enabling them to be used as a support bracket ora restraint bracket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF VIEWS OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. Typical elevation arrangement of facade

FIG. 2. Typical undercut anchor hole to locations in cladding panel

FIG. 3. Typical arrangement of Access support sub structure

FIG. 4. Typical arrangement of Access support sub structure withcladding panel

FIG. 5. Typical vertical section detail

FIG. 6. Typical vertical through BX horizontal rail detailing theattachment of inner strap Profile C

FIG. 7. Typical horizontal section detail with box profile verticalsupport

FIG. 8. Typical horizontal section detail with T profile verticalsupport

FIG. 9. Section through facade panel showing undercut anchor fixing

FIG. 10. BX cross rail dimensions and typical punching arrangement

FIG. 11. C and D profile dimensions and horizontal section throughundercut anchor belt

FIG. 12. Vertical section showing removal of facade panel and typicalinstalled facade

FIG. 13. Fixing bracket for main vertical T profile section andisometric

FIG. 14. Fixing bracket for main vertical hollow section profile

FIG. 15. Section through main vertical profile F

FIG. 16. Horizontal top rail profile section with dimensic ns

KEY

-   A=Ceramic Granite Cladding-   B=Compression Pad-   C=C Profile Aluminium Section-   D=D Profile Aluminium Section-   E=Undercut Anchor-   F=Flashing Receiver-   S=Soffit Flashing-   1=Building Structure-   2=Support Bracket E Profile-   3=Expanding Anchor Fixing-   4=Vertical Primary Tee F Profile-   5=Self Tap Fixing-   6=Pop Fixing-   7=insulation-   8=Air Void-   9=Horizontal “Bx” Profile-   10=Vert.Primary Hollow Section “H” Profile-   11=Support Bracket “G” Profile-   12=Bx Rail Joint Sleeve-   13=4 mm Diam. Holes-   14=4 mm×13 mm Slotted Holes-   15=12.5 mm×20 mm Slotted Holes-   16=12.5 mm Diam. Holes-   17=Horizontal Top Rail “J” Profile

1. The unique design of the BX rails profile simplifies installationprocedures for a ventilated rainscreen cladding panels, allowingindividual panel removal for access to services or for repair.
 2. Theconcept of the system is to provide a versatility of common use for themajority of the components to create the ability to maintain a pressureequalised void and further space for insulation enhancement.
 3. A fullrange of standard brackets of various sizes, provides the opportunity toaccommodate most building ‘design zones’ which are based uponengineering criteria specific to each building on an individual basis.